Idaho State Capitol – On Tuesday, the House Education Committee voted to reject the Idaho Content Standards for Math, Science, and English Language Arts. The committee heard testimony over 3 days to cover language arts, math, and science. Although there was testimony in support of both retaining and rejecting the standards, speakers overwhelmingly showed up to ask the committee to keep the Idaho Content Standards.
The committee voted to reject the standards. Democrats on the committee continually voiced their support for the standards throughout several days of testimony and expressed their disappointment for the rejection of the current academic content standards.
“We heard overwhelming support from educators, businesses, parents and education stakeholders from every part of the state for the current content standards.” Representative Chris Abernathy/ (D-Pocatello) explained. “Idaho teachers believe in the Idaho Content Standards and its positive impact on their students. I am disappointed that the committee did not vote to uphold the wishes of educators. The removal of our content standards will hurt Idaho Students.”
“Idaho students benefit from the Idaho Content Standards.” Assistant Democratic Leader, Representative John McCrostie/(D-Garden City) said. “As an Idaho teacher, I understand that removing academic content standards is against the best interest of our students. Educators in Idaho understand how to implement the standards, and now the legislature has just pulled the rug out from under them. The removal will disrupt classrooms across our state. Our state must have content standards so that local school districts can craft curriculum so that our students are prepared for a 21st-century workplace. The committee’s rejection of standards will waste taxpayer time and money drafting new standards, distributing updated curriculum, and updating teachers on the changes in content.”